Mantou (馒头)

Ingredients

For 8 mini buns:

  • flour 150g
  • salt 1 tsp
  • water (lukewarm/warm) 75ml
  • dry yeast 1/2 tsp
  • sugar 1 pinch

Instructions

Activate the yeast

  1. Dissolve the sugar in the water.
  2. Add the dry yeast and set aside for 5min.

Prepare the dough

  1. Mix flour and salt.
  2. Add the water with the activated yeast.
  3. Knead the dough for 5-10min.
  4. Let the dough rest for about 1h at a warm place (~30C) until it doubles in size.
  5. Knead the dough for another 5-10min and make sure to remove all air inside.
  6. Roll the dough and cut buns into the preferred size.
  7. Place the buns in the steamer and let them rest for 20min.

Steam the buns

  1. Start with cold water and high heat.
  2. Once steam rises reduce to medium heat and steam for 20-25min.
  3. Turn off the heat and let the buns rest for 5min before opening the lid (else they could collapse).